On this 14-day Iceland and Eastern Greenland cruise, see the untamed and spectacular landscapes of Iceland and East Greenland. Navigate Iceland, the country of fire and ice, with breaching whales by your side as you take in the fjords, magnificent waterfalls, and never-ending volcanic scenery. Travel to eastern Greenland from northern Iceland to explore areas at the farthest north on the planet. Discover some of the most fascinating indigenous cultures and ways of life, as well as national parks, protected lands for arctic hare and muskoxen, and the world's largest fjord system, in sparsely populated areas. On our return to Iceland, you can duck under the spray of spouting hot geysers and spot Atlantic puffins. Join this expedition ship for a tour of Iceland and the fascinating and varied parts of Greenland.
Highlights
Explore Iceland’s rarely visited Westfjords region
Watch staggering array of seabirds, like eiders, puffins, and Arctic terns
Visit Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the world’s most remote settlements
Discover Heimaey’s dark history and its recent volcanic past
Glide through the pristine waters of world’s largest fjord network
In the center of Iceland’s sprawling capital city, the modern organ-pipe-shaped Hallgrimskirkja church dominates the top of town. Cosy bars, cafes and shops line the surrounding streets heated by geothermal waters. The regenerated harbor is home to a striking modern concert hall. Popular trips include to the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa near the village of Grindavik, and the Golden Circle tour taking in Gullfoss Waterfall and the mighty Strokkur geyser in Thingvellir National Park.
Arrive today in the charming, tiny fishing harbor of Ísafjördur. The village’s touristic highlights include the West fjord Heritage Museum and The Museum House (Old Hospital). Located at the heart of the Westfjords peninsula, it’s a great jumping-off point for exploration so journey by Zodiac to the island of Vigur – the pearl of the Western Fjords. The second-largest island in the fjord, measuring two kilometers by 400 meters, it’s a significant seabird colony, which is home to arctic terns, puffins, black guillemots and eider ducks. As one of only two inhabited islands in the fjord, Vigur is also the site of a single farm, which has been in the same family for generations. During your time on the island, you might see Iceland’s only windmill, the country’s smallest post office and oldest boat, which was built more than 200 years ago and in regular use until relatively recently.
As you cruise to our next destination, spend your day at sea exploring and enjoying the ship’s facilities. You can also spend some time learning about your destination from our knowledgeable onboard experts. Attend an informative lecture, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, or get in a workout at the onboard gym.
One of the most remote towns in the world, thick sea ice makes Ittoqqortoormiit inaccessible by ship for nine months of the year. Founded in 1925 by Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen and a group of 80 or so Inuit, the town’s 450 present-day residents are largely self-sufficient. Hunting and fishing at sea are the only ways that this community can survive. Although a small number of residents now also work service industry. Ittoqqortoormiit is also the gateway to the Scoresbysund fjord system; the world’s largest fjord network with an area of just under 40,000 square kilometers.
Over the next few days, Explore the vast Scorebysund fjord network. The imposing basalt mountains create a striking backdrop against the brilliant white ice floating in the mirror-like waters. The mountains offer protection from the Arctic winds, providing excellent shelter for an abundance of Greenland’s iconic wildlife. You’ll be hoping to spot muskoxen, Arctic foxes and mountain hares along the frozen shores. Birds also thrive in this delicate ecosystem. With the help of our expedition team, look out for little auks, Atlantic puffins, fulmars, snowy owls, the Greenlandic gyrfalcon and great black-backed gulls. Seals and whales are also common sightings in the fjord waters.
King Oscar Fjord forms the northern border of the Scoresby Sound. This seemingly endless maze of valleys eventually gives way to the open sea. The imposing mountains, deep waters and sparkling ice create the kind of dramatic and emotive landscape that photos just can’t emulate. This other-worldly place is beautiful and imposingly hostile all at once. Whilst cruising through King Oscar Fjord, Observe the fascinating Berzelius Bjerg, a mountain with clear bands of colored strata – formed millions of years ago when the mountains here were once part of the seabed.
As you cruise to our next destination, spend your day at sea exploring and enjoying the ship’s facilities. You can also spend some time learning about your destination from our knowledgeable onboard experts. Attend an informative lecture, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, or get in a workout at the onboard gym.
Regarded as east Island’s cultural hub, brightly painted wooden houses line Seyðisfjörður’s port. With a lively arts scene disproportionate to its small size, Seyðisfjörður has attracted many writers and artists over the years and also hosts an annual summer arts festival. Surrounded by incredible nature, the Skálanes nature reserve is a short distance from the town. The area covered by the reserve is known for its diverse wildlife with over 47 species of bird and over 150 plant species. Reindeer are also seen here, with seals and porpoises frequently spotted along the shores.
Southeast Iceland’s staging post, Höfn is a small town perched on a narrow neck of land, and an ideal base for exploring the nearby Vatnajökull National Park. The town itself is well known for its lobster catch, particularly high-value species such as the Norway Lobster. The town hosts an annual Lobster Festival in celebration of its reputation as Iceland’s Lobster capital. Vatnajökull National Park is Europe’s largest and covers 14% of Iceland. This vast area encompasses massive ice caps, thundering waterfalls, glaciers, canyons, craters and volcanoes. The park’s Jökulsárlón Lagoon is within easy reach of Höfn and is Iceland’s deepest lake. Icebergs float on the surface of the water all year long, offering resting spots for passing seals.
A small 13-kilometer square island off the south coast of Iceland, Heimaey’s history has been surprisingly eventful. From the escapee 16th century Irish slaves to the reaches of the Ottoman Empire and subsequent pirate invasion, the island was a place of danger and terror until the mid-18th century. Once these events subsided, for 300 years the people of Heimaey assumed that their days of action were a thing of the past. That was until 1973 when residents awoke to a devastating volcanic eruption. Fissures over a kilometer wide snaked through the town, the lava engulfing over 400 homes. Remarkably, only one person is thought to have died as a result of the eruption, with a quick rescue response ensuring that the 5,300 residents were swiftly evacuated to the safety of the mainland. Evidence of this recent geological activity can be seen just about everywhere on Heimaey and is the focus of the fascinating Eldheimar museum.
Day 14: Reykjavik | Disembark
1 Breakfast
In the center of Iceland’s sprawling capital city, the modern organ-pipe-shaped Hallgrimskirkja church dominates the top of town. Cosy bars, cafes and shops line the surrounding streets heated by geothermal waters. The regenerated harbor is home to a striking modern concert hall. Popular trips include to the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa near the village of Grindavik, and the Golden Circle tour taking in Gullfoss Waterfall and the mighty Strokkur geyser in Thingvellir National Park.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$8,626
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Oceanview D4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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Oceanview M4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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Balcony D5
28 m2, Located at the forward and aft of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
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Balcony M5
28 m2, Located at the center of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
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Balcony D6
28 m2, Located on deck six, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
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Suite
44 m2, Our Suites features a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
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Premium Suite
49 m2, Our grandest suites feature a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a spacious walk-in wardrobe, and a 12 sq.m private balcony.
Initial deposit is 15%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.